Karnataka High Court Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To BJP's CT Ravi In Hate Speech FIR Over Remarks On Muslim NEET Protesters

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (July 27) granted interim protection from arrest to former Minister and BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, directing that no coercive measures be taken against him till the next date of hearing in his plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered over his alleged hate speech targeting Muslim NEET protesters.

A single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed the State to accept notice and posted the matter for further hearing on July 31.

“No coercive measures will be taken against the petitioner till the next date," the Court added.

The FIR was registered by the Chikkamagaluru Town Police on a complaint lodged by the President of a Jamia Masjid for the offence punishable under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, alleging that Ravi delivered a speech promoting enmity against the Muslim community and hurting their religious sentiments.

According to the complaint, Ravi made the remarks while addressing a public gathering at Azad Park in Chikkamagaluru on July 23, 2026, after a protest rally organised by 'Youth for Nation'. The complainant alleged that Ravi questioned the Muslim community's connection with the NEET examination, mocked them by saying they could not even "write three letters," and claimed that the protests were being misused by "anti-national elements."

Appearing for Ravi, Senior Counsel Aruna Shyam argued that the FIR had been registered in violation of the Director General and Inspector General of Police's Circular dated February 7, 2026, which mandates a preliminary enquiry before registering FIRs arising out of speeches or social media posts. It was further submitted that the registration of the FIR was contrary to the Supreme Court's judgment in State of Telangana v. Nalla Balu (2026).

The plea further contends that Ravi's speech constituted an expression of opinion on matters of public importance, including the NEET examination, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the alleged involvement of anti-national elements in student protests, and is therefore protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

During the hearing, State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadeesha alleged that police officers faced resistance while attempting to serve a notice on him under Section 35 BNS.

During the hearing, the State Public Prosecutor B.N Jagadeesha brought to the court's attention a separate incident involving the police attempting to serve notice on Ravi:

“…The police officer went there to serve a notice under Section 35. He [Ravi]sits with his lawyers and all his followers and conducts a kangaroo court, abusing our police officers. I have the video.”

Senior Counsel Shyam however, disputed the allegation, contending that the police had arrived only with a notice and had not supplied a copy of the FIR.

“What happened is that they came with the notice without serving the FIR…. I asked where is the FIR, which case, why are you coming here. Then they went back… as a matter of right, we have only asked for FIR,” he said.

Case Title: Sri C.T. Ravi V. State of Karnataka & Anr.

Case No: CRL.P 11154/2026